Image of a quiescent prominence taken at Observatoire de Paris, Meudon, DASOPAnother quiescent prominence courtesy of the Big Bear Solar Observatory |
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Quiescent filaments and prominences can remain stable for weeks or even months viewed on the solar disk. They are enormous thin vertical structures sometimes reaching lengths in excess of a solar radius. What is holding them up against gravity which would drag them back down toward the photosphere? - Prominences lie along the boundaries between magnetic structures of opposite polarity (outward and inward pointing magnetic fields).
- At the location of the prominences, the magnetic field is horizontal.
- The prominences are supported by magnetic pressure against the pull of gravity.
How do prominences remain cool for months surrounded by a 2 million degree corona? It is believed that the magnetic field somehow insulates these structures.
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